Daily readings

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Saint John Eudes, Priest. Ordinary Time. Read the day's readings in one place for prayer, preparation, or quiet reflection.

CelebrationSaint John Eudes, Priest

TypeOptional Memorial

SeasonOrdinary Time

Year2026 archive

The Roman Catholic readings for this date are shown below on-site. Use plain reading mode if you want clearer modern wording, or switch back to the original Douay-Rheims wording at any time.

Reading mode

Plain mode helps modern readers follow the text more easily.

The on-site reading text is drawn from public-domain Douay-Rheims sources. Plain mode is a built-in reading aid that modernizes older wording for easier understanding while keeping the same Roman Catholic reading references for the day.

What are the Mass readings for Wednesday August 19, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Wednesday August 19, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading Ezekiel 34:1-11, psalm Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel Matthew 20:1-16.

What is the Gospel for Wednesday August 19, 2026?

The Gospel for Wednesday August 19, 2026 is Matthew 20:1-16. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Wednesday August 19, 2026?

The psalm for Wednesday August 19, 2026 is Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6. It is included below in the same reading order used at Mass, between the first reading and the Gospel.

Are these the USCCB daily readings for Wednesday August 19, 2026?

The same day's Catholic readings are gathered here on-site, with the official readings link available below in the source note.

1

First Reading

Ezekiel 34:1-11

How to approach it

Read this as the first big movement of the day. Notice what God is doing, who is speaking, and what part of the story or teaching should stay with you.

34:1And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:

2Son of Man, prophesy concerning the shepherds of Israel: prophesy, and say to the shepherds: Thus says the Lord God: Sorrow to the shepherds of Israel, that fed themselves: should not the hocks be fed by the shepherds?

3You ate the milk, end you clothed yourselves with the wool, and you killed that which was fat: but my flock you did not feed.

4The weak you have not strengthened, and that which was sick you have not healed, that which was broken you have not bound up, and that which was driven away you have not brought again, neither have you sought that which was lost: but you ruled over them with rigour, and with a high hand.

5And my sheep were scattered, because there was no shepherd: and they became the prey of all the beasts of the field, and were scattered.

6My sheep have wandered in every mountain, and in every high hill: and my flocks mere scattered upon the face of the earth, and there was none that sought them, there was none, I say, that sought them.

7Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord:

8As I live, says the Lord God, forasmuch as my flocks have been made a spoil, and my sheep are become a prey to all the beasts of the field, because there was no shepherd: for my shepherds did not seek after my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flocks:

9Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord:

10Thus says the Lord God: Look I myself come upon the shepherds, I will require my hock at their hand, and I will cause them to cease from feeding the flock any more, neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more: and I will deliver my flock from their mouth, and it shall no more be food for them.

11For thus says the Lord God: Look I myself will seek my sheep, and will visit them.

2

Psalm

Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6

How to pray it

The psalm is meant to be prayed, not rushed. If the wording feels older, focus on the main movement of the prayer: trust, praise, sorrow, gratitude, or hope.

23:1A psalm for David. The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing.

2He has set me in a place of pasture. He has brought me up, on the water of refreshment:

3he has converted my soul. He has led me on the paths of righteousness, for his own name's sake.

4For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they have comforted me.

5You have prepared a table before me against them that afflict me. You have anointed my head with oil; and my chalice which inebriateth me, how goodly is it!

6And your mercy will follow me all the days of my life. And that I may dwell in the house of the Lord to length of days.

3

Gospel

Matthew 20:1-16

What to watch for

The Gospel is the center of the reading set. Pay close attention to what Jesus says, what Jesus does, and what response he is asking for.

20:1The kingdom of heaven is like to an householder, who went out early in the morning to hire workers into his vineyard.

2And having agreed with the workers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

3And going about the third hour, he saw others standing in the market place idle.

4And he said to them: Go you also into my vineyard, and I will give you what shall be righteous.

5And they went their way. And again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did in like manner.

6But about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing, and he says to them: Why stand you here all the day idle?

7They say to him: Because no man has hired us. He says to them: Go you also into my vineyard.

8And when evening was come, the lord of the vineyard says to his steward: Call the workers and pay them their hire, beginning from the last even to the first.

9When therefore they were come, that came about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.

10But when the first also came, they thought that they should receive more: and they also received every man a penny.

11And receiving it they murmured against the master of the house,

12Saying: These last have worked but one hour, and you have made them equal to us, that have borne the burden of the day and the heats.

13But he answering said to one of them: Friend, I do you no wrong: did you not agree with me for a penny?

14Take what is yours, and go your way: I will also give to this last even as to you.

15Or, is it not lawful for me to do what I will? is your eye evil, because I am good?

16So shall the last be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.

How the readings move through Mass today

The Liturgy of the Word normally moves from the first reading to the psalm, then to the second reading when one is appointed, then to the Gospel, and then into the homily. On weekday Masses, the second reading is often omitted, so the Church moves from the psalm directly to the Gospel.

1

First Reading

Ezekiel 34:1-11

The first reading is usually taken from the Old Testament. It prepares the heart to hear how God has been acting through his covenant and promises.

2

Psalm

Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6

The psalm is the Church’s prayerful response to the first reading. It helps the congregation answer God’s word with trust, praise, repentance, or hope.

3

Second Reading

Usually omitted today

There is no second reading at many weekday Masses. On days like this, the liturgy moves from the psalm directly to the Gospel.

4

Gospel

Matthew 20:1-16

The Gospel is the high point of the Liturgy of the Word. Catholics stand because Christ himself speaks to his people in a special way through the Gospel proclamation.

5

Homily

After the Gospel

The homily follows the Gospel. It should gather the day’s readings together, explain the mystery being celebrated, and help people carry the word of God into ordinary life.

What the homily usually draws together

A Catholic homily usually gathers the first reading, the psalm, and the Gospel into one spiritual movement. It may explain how the Old Testament prepares for Christ, how the apostles witness to the risen Lord, how the psalm teaches the Church to pray, and how the Gospel calls for faith and conversion now.

If you are preparing before Mass, try to carry one sentence, one image, or one invitation from the readings with you. That usually makes the homily easier to follow because you already know what part of God's word has stayed with you.

What about the Prayers of the Faithful for Wednesday August 19, 2026?

The Prayers of the Faithful are usually written locally by a parish, diocese, or celebrant, so there is not always one universal text for this exact day. The scriptural readings above are the stable part the whole Church receives, and they usually shape the petitions that follow at Mass.

Source note

The day's references and liturgical celebration data come from the Catholic Readings API, while the on-site scripture text is rendered from public-domain Douay-Rheims sources so the day's readings can be read directly on the page.